Sheet metal structure



Aug. 9, 1932. F. LANE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE Filed 'Feb. 11, 1929 1 N VEN TOR.

A TTORNES,

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 untrue FRANK LANE, F MANSFIELD, OHIO SHEET METAL STRUCTURE Application filed February 11, 1929. Serial No. 338,959.

This invention as indicated relates to a sheet metal structure including especially a pole structure. More particularly it includes a pole built up of standardized sections adapted to be formed of sheet metal plates and united in a rigid structure capable ofwithstanoling, approximately with equal resistance from any direction, lateral strains, weights of wires, and other loads as may be required by the greatly varying conditions governing the use of poles. This application is a continuation input of my application Serial No. 226,630, filed October 17,1927, which matured into Patent No. 1, 702,165, on Feb. 12, 1929. The present invention in addition to the features set forth in such prior application provides for the forming of each of the sections of the pole structure of a plurality of upwardly tapered sheet metal plates formed with flanges adjacent the margins thereof by which each section may be built up of easily formed members and be given a rigidity as great as, if not greater than, an integrally formed section such as was de- 5 scribed in my former application. In addition to the advantage of using similar plates and securing greater speed of production of the units going to make up each section, the construction readily lends itself to reinforcement for resisting extraordinary strains whereby each of the members may be strengthened by means of one or more webs or strips extending across the same. In this manner a pole or like structure of light sheet metalmay be formed which will have a rigidity as great as one of very heavy gage and at a cost of relatively much smaller amount.

An additional feature of my invention comprises a base section adapted to be driven into the ground; said base section, likewise, being formed of sheet-metal members united together to form a section preferably of polygonal outline and for most purposes of triangular cross section, each faceqof such base member having a central rib with diverging flanges bent to several interlocking angular off-sets so as to interengage the earth in ,whichit is imbedded and prevent move ment in any direction. It is also partof the 9 invention that the anchoring flanges are view taken along the line 5-5 shown in Fig.

slightly resilient and in this manner cushion a shock without seriously loosening the engagement of the flanges with the "adjacent material in which they are embedded. This enables abase of this character to withstand far greaterstrains than where a rigid member is employed which would necessarily have to cause a movement of the adjacent earth or a. fracture of the rigid flanges. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and reso lated ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawingand the following description set forth in detail a structure emas bodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several of various structural forms in which the principle of-the invention may be used.

. In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a-pole embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2'is an enlarged side elevation showing the connection between two pole sections; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 shown in Fi 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; Tign 1 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lined-4;

shown in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Flg. 5 is a transverse sectional 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing a connection of the lowermost pole sections with the base section; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the base section taken along the line 7-7 shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of -the sheetv metal units used to make up a. pole of substantially triangular crosssection; Fig. 9 isaview similar to Fig. 8 m showing a unit adapted for forming a pole of substantially circular cross-section; and Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of a pole of circular cross-section. g

As is clearly shown inFig. 1 of the drawas ing, the pole 1 proper is formed of three sections 2, 3, 4, above the surface of the ground and is supported on a flanged base section 5 adapted to be embedded in the ground. The sections above the ground are shownas of a length of approximately ten feet each and the section embedded in the ground as of a length of about seven feet. Each of the sections above the ground is upwardly tapered and is of such width at its lower end that it will engage over the upper end of the next adjacent section. The lowermost section is likewise of such width as to engage over the base section which, as has been heretofore explained, is not a tapered section. Each of the upper sections is formed preferably of three members 6, 'i', 8, each pressed from a metal sheet having one end somewhat slight taper toward one end of said section as itis pressed to the special form required. The cross sectional form of the members ging to make up a section differs with the particular cross section. of the entire pole section,.but the preferred form ofpole section is that of substantially. an equilateral triangle in cross section with "reinforcing ribs 9 projecting outwardly throughout each central face of the assembled pole section. Each individual section fora polygonal pole, therefore, will comprise a member having an angle portion 11 pressed centrally of its lengthand having a flange .12 formed at each side to abut against and be attached to correspondin flanges on adjacent sections. With other members of the character indicated, the pole section may be construed by joining the flanges to each other throughout substantially their entire length by any suitable means such as stri weldin s ot weldin nrivetin ,bolt- P by P e g r. to secure the pole sections ing, or similar means. This joining is not carried on completely throughout the length of the section for the reason that special shaping of the end portions of the flanges is re quired topermit .each section to engage over the flanges at the top of the next lower section of the pole. This special formation of the flangesis clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. It will be noted that this is accomplished by outwardly oflsettingthe lower portions of said flanges so that they will be spread apart from each other and provide between them a space within which the joined flanges at the top of the next lower section may be slidingly received. Bolt, holes 13 are preferably formed through the projecting flanges 14 at the telescopic contact area and bolts or rivets are engaged therethrough after the-:sections are assembled, with the'bolt holes in alinement, rigidly I together. Insome cases it will be desirable toweldthe sectionstogether through the use of portable welding apparatus when the: pole is set in Position.

When it is desired to havea pole of greater than ordinary strength reinforcing plates 15 or webs 23 are inserted within each of the members going to make up a-pole section, or like structure as is clearly shown in Figs. 1,

3, 8, 9, and 10. Such plates may be integral webs formed to extend substantially the entire length of a section or may consist of small sheet metal strips of narrow width and secured to the several members at spaced intervals across the angular corners formed in the sheet metal member. Such reinforcement will be so disposed as the strains require. Such strips, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawing, form substantially an equilateral triangle as viewed in cross section. Thus a pole structure may be built up which may be described as being partly or wholly of cellular form. narrower than the other; and thus providing a Accordingly, as reinforcing webs extending substantially the full distance or strips positioned at intervals across the sections are used, such structure will be capable of withstanding greatstresses with approximately equal resistance from any direction even though formed of light gage sheet metal.

WVhile the preferred form of construction calls for a pole of polygonal cross-section for certain purposesit may be found desirable to form a substantially cylindical pole of upwardly tapered sections built up of units of the character shown in Fig. 9. Likewise where a column or other structural member of great strength formed of sheet metal is desired, webs extending the full length thereof may be provided. Thus a structure having ribs centrally of each of the sides and reinforcing webs throughout or in part, as the use of the structure requires, maybe easily manufactured with simple machinery and out of sheet metal. Such structures maybe of uniform cross-section throughout or tapered as the particular use may demand. In Fig. 10 is shown a structural member of circular cross-section with continuous reinforcing webs 23.

In Fig. 9 the units are formed-of sheet metal plates having curved central portions 21- forming segments of a circle formed complete when united with companion units. Webs or strips 15 are applied across the segmental portions as shown.

The base section of the pole is preferably a driven member formed of a body section 32 of triangular outline and having strengthening flanges 33 formed integrally therewith and extending outwardly centrally of each side. This section may be formed in a manner somewhat similar to that of the members forming the upper sections of the pole being pressed from sheet metal plates. The sheet metal members in this case, however, will be preferably those having no taper in order that the section'may be properly driven into the ground. In the fabrication of such members the anchoring flange portions 33 are first pressed to the desired outline and the final pressing is then applied to form the triangular corner which, when unit ed to two of its companion members will form 7 the base section of the pole". When the upper portion of the pole is of circular cross-section the base section will be correspondingly modified to engage with the lower end thereof, and the body portion of the base may be made of circular cross-section throughout.

The invention permits the standardizing of a limited number of sections of similar outline and length. These may have a taper adaptable to the building up of many different poles of varying lengths and varying strengths without changing the thickness of the material used or the form of the completed pole. This is accomplished by selecting a top section for the pole suitable to the load to be imposed at a specified height above the ground, and building the pole downward from the section selected to the length of pole required. Ten standard sections without internal webs or braces would provide for all ordinary loads for poles varying in length from twenty to seventy feet and heavier loads for the same varying lengths may be provided by the internal strips or webs heretofore described. I

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means he employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention: 7

1. A sheet metal member adapted to form with companion members a section for telescopic association with adjacent sections to provide a supporting pole, said sheet metal member comprising a separate individual upwardly tapered plate provided with marginal flanges and a central portion presenting two angularly related surfaces meeting along a central longitudinal line of said plate and a flat metal strip with angle ends welded at said ends to the inner faces of said plate across the open angle of said member.

2. A sheet metal member adapted to form with companion members a section for telescopic association with adjacent sections to provide a supporting hole, said sheet metal member comprising a separate individual upwardly tapered plate provided with marginal flanges and a central portion presenting two angularly related surfaces meeting along a central longitudinal line of said plate, and a plurality of flat metal strips with angle ends welded at said ends to the inner faces of said angular portion of the sheet at uniformly spaced positions longitudinally of said sheet and forming with said side faces triangles in cross section.

3. A base member for a pole comprising a sheet metal member having portions bent along lines extending parallel to each other the full length of said plate including a marginal portion bent to radial angles adjacent to said central portion and to a plurality of angularly related sections adjacent their free edges, and a pair .of angularly related surfaces centrally of said sheet adapted to form with companion sections the body of the base member, and a portion of said sheet intermediate of said flange and body portions at right angles to said respective body portions adapted to be jointed to companion sections to form a reinforcing rib centrally of each side of the assembled structure, all portions of said plate adapted to be embedded in the ground in a directly vertical position.

4:. A pole construction comprising a plurality of sections adapted to form the main body of the pole above the ground and a base section adapted to provide an anchorage for said pole, each of said first named sections comprising a plurality of tapered angular sheets flanged at their free edges and united at such flanges to form projecting strengthening ribs to said polygonal sides, and said base section being formed of rectangular sheets flanged at their free edges to form anchoring elements and united at such flanges adjacent their intermediate portions to form strengthening ribs to the polygonal sides, and each of said first-named sections having the lower portion of meeting flanges spaced from each other adjacent their lower ends a distance sufficient to receive the united flanges adjacent the top of the section immediately beneath the same, and means for uniting said sections at said spaced apart portion of flanges.

5. A hollow supporting structure adapted to be secured to a base and said structure above said base made of sections, each formed of a plurality of sheet metal plates each plate displacedoutwardly along a central line and secured to each companion plate at their margins, and having a reinforcing web secured internally to each plate at substantially uniform spaced positions longitudinally of each plate and providing a cellular structure construction for said supporting structure. lgsgned by me this 9th day of February,

FRANK LANE. 

